Arthritis is so bad.

[Nottobad123]

3am here in Thailand and the pain in my knees, legs and hip is so bad its a straggle to walk to the bathroom without letting out a few screams. Am not on any medications specifically for arthritis, I tried some before and they didn't have any effect on me. Even ibuprofen that used to help has no effect now.

The only medication that gives me relief from pain is tramadol. It also helps with my copd and asthma.

Unfortunately I can't stay on it all the time and have to stop, but the withdrawal effects are horrible.

I be OK in about 6 hours time when I can go to my local hospital and get tramadol and prednisolone.

What medicine do you guys take on a daily basis for arthritis.

I am 74 years old.

Thanks.

[helixhelix]

what kind of arthritis do you have? As if it is osteoarthritis then there are better drugs than ibuprofen, and which are not as strong as tramadol. Plus lots of other alternatives that can help just dull pain a bit and make live a tiny bit easier.

Also, if the pain is caused from bone degeneration then maybe you need surgery. What does your doctor say?

[Nottobad123 in reply to helixhelix]

I haven't been tested for the kind of arthritis, and not seeing a doctor just for arthritis. I was diagnosed with xray some years ago.

I've been a regularly to see specialist for my copd and asthma that has worsen dramatically over the 2 years, so the arthritis has taken second place in seeing a specialist for further testing.

I do need to talk with someone about this today at the hospital.

While tramadol is great for pain relief, it does have side effects, one being it doesn't let me sleep and am awake for days.

[golly123]

You should maybe try getting referred to your local pain clinic. There will, no doubt, be a waiting list. I found my Pain Clinic very helpful. I'm currently on duloxetine and have lidocaine patches (when I can get them!) For chronic back pain, joint pain everywhere especially in my hands. I have osteo-arthritis. Hope things improve for you. Best wishes Golly

[Nottobad123 in reply to golly123]

I will ask at the hospital this morning, am in Thailand and private clinics and private hospitals is the only way to get treatment. I've tried the government hospitals a couple of times and I got very stressed.

I will get a pain relief injection and the other meditations soon.

I will ask more about getting tested for the kind of arthritis I have, hopefully I will get better treatment for it.

Thanks for your reply.

[AgedCrone]

Well…until you have a diagnosis as to what type of arthritis you have - even if it is any sort of arthritis at all - you are not going to get any relief.

Your first move should be a visit to a qualified medical doctor to do some tests to see if you should see a Rheumatologist or some other type of specialist to diagnose the reason for your ongoing pain.so go make that appointment!

[Nottobad123 in reply to AgedCrone]

I have been diagnosed with gout and arthritis by two different private hospitals in Thailand, and had problems with my knees when I lived in London 18 years ago. In the Royal Free Hospital they took about half a liter of uric acid from my knee, yellow/ color liquid.

I went to my local private hospital yesterday, as they're ment to have the best doctors and your seen very quickly, but I didn't see a doctor, they just gave me the medication that I normally have. 60 tramadol and 60 prednisolone.

You can't get these medications unless you see a doctor in a hospital.

They are helping, but am still in pain that I can handle.

I have seen doctors in there Orthopedic department many times, but that was mainly for my shoulder and back, but they did confirm that I had arthritis. I used to have steroid injections, paid killers and anti-inflammation pills.

My wife is going to phone them to ask if they do have tests to find what exactly the type of arthritis I have and what they can do to help treat it.

[AgedCrone in reply to Nottobad123]

You need to speak to somebody who knows how the system works where you are.& knows how to get an appointment with either a rheumatologist or a General Consultant Physician. Don’t you know any Thai people who can point you in the right direction?

Of course you may not have Rheumatism at all …. but if you see a rheumatology specialist, he will know which doctors to direct you to. Because you are obviously not seeing the right Doctors now are you?

As a last resort, why not go to the British Embassy?

[Nottobad123 in reply to AgedCrone]

No I haven't been seeing the right doctor. It's been affecting me on and of over many years, but only in the last 10 years it's become more regular, now even with tramadol and prednisolone it's there all the time. It's almost 4am and am wide awake due to the tramadol, my legs feel strange but not in crippling pain.

I do know my way around the hospital system, I've been using it for 18 years, just this has taken second and third place over my other health issues.

It's now taken first place and I will be talking to the right people about it this week.

The doctors are mostly quite good and there's lots of them. No waiting queue.

My wife was going to phone for an appointment this morning.

Thank you for your reply, much appreciated 😊

[Fruitandnutcase]

I too, think you need to go and see a proper doctor / rheumatologist, ask to have an MRI scan to find the root of your pain - it could be anything - you need a proper diagnosis and treatment rather than constantly topping up with tramadol and prednisone. You also need to be able to get decent sleep to help your body recover and the tramadol doesn’t seem to be helping that.

[Nottobad123 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Am on tramadol now, a bit more then the recommended dosage, am still in pain, but I was able to do a little work in the garden. My wife is going to phone our local hospital tomorrow to make an appointment with a rheumatologist, specifically for arthritis.

Thank you for your reply, I will post something when I have something.

[MistyDay]

You need Xrays and blood tests to identify your problem by a rheumatologist. No one can give medical diagnosis here . We can send our sympathy and good wishes.

[Nottobad123 in reply to MistyDay]

I've had Xrays that confirmed I have arthritis, it showed a clear line of white dots on both knees.I've had quite a lot of blood tests for gout and other things, that come back negative for gout, but the doctor did say it doesn't mean you don't have it.

If finding out what type of arthritis it is that I have, and it will help with treating it.! Then it's well worth having the taste.

Really thanks for your good wishes 👍😊